OC Today-Dispatch MAY 16, 2025
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PHOTO COURTESY CAMPOS MEDIA
SETTING UP Three massive stages were erected throughout the week in Ocean City for this weekend’s first-ever Boardwalk Rock festival, which is the third in a series of C3 Presents concert weekends planned in Ocean City this year. Oceans Calling and Country Calling festivals will return in the fall. The main stage is pictured here on the northern end of the festival perimeter.
County cuts into teacher raises Another Worcester County Public Schools budget goes to the county commissioners and is returned minus a few million, as the commissioners reduce negotiated raise package by 50 percent. — PAGE 6
Council aims to ban beach tents Borrowing from a Dewey Beach, Delaware rule, the City Council works toward opening up the view on the beach by prohibiting tents with side walls and making sure other sun shelters don’t obstruct lifeguards’ view. — PAGE 3
Boardwalk Rock this weekend
— PAGE 12
Council renews BVK contract
— PAGE 20
Sheriff accused of ‘crying wolf’ - PAGE 18
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OC Today-Dispatch
MAY 16, 2025
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MAY 16, 2025
OC Today-Dispatch
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Council eyes beach tent ban, canopy restrictions By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (May 16, 2025) Using a Dewey Beach ordinance as a template, Ocean City officials this week agreed to ban tents on the beach and set strict rules for canopies. During Tuesday’s work session, a council majority agreed to move forward with a ban on beach tents and place more stringent regulations on open-air canopies. Supporters say the change will improve public safety and the viewshed. “I think this addresses at least 90% of the problem,” Councilman Jake Mitrecic said. At the end of last week’s council meeting, Mayor Rick Meehan brought forward a request to place some restrictions on beach canopies ahead of the summer season. To that end, staff this week presented the council with several examples of ordinances adopted by surrounding municipalities, including a Dewey Beach ordinance that outlaws tents but stops short of banning canopies. For his part, City Manager Terry McGean said his recommendation was to follow the Dewey Beach ordinance and ban beach tents, which he defined as a structure with walls. “The enclosed tents, they block the ocean view,” he told the council. “I think from a bigger concern, from staff and from the public safety side, is you have no idea what’s going on inside the tent when it’s an enclosed structure.” While the Dewey Beach ordinance bans tents, it does allow baby tents measuring 36 inches. McGean said he had no objection to allowing such structures on the beach. The town’s ordinance also sets some restrictions on canopies. As adopted, canopies cannot be set up and left unattended before 9 a.m. and must be placed behind lifeguard stands. While he said he supported the tent ban, Mitrecic said he also wanted Ocean City to set limitations on beach canopies. “It boils down to time, place and space,” he said. Mitrecic said he believed canopies should not be set up before lifeguards are on duty, and that they be placed behind the lifeguard stands – a rule officials say is already in effect. He also added that the city should limit the amount of space a canopy can occupy on the beach. For his part, Meehan said he supported Mitrecic’s ideas but encouraged the council to address tents ahead of the summer season. He argued it was the biggest issue on the beach. “I really don’t think that Ocean City beaches are for camping,” he said. “That’s not what it’s for.” While agreeing with everything
Mitrecic and Meehan said, Councilman Larry Yates said he also wanted the city to address the space between canopies, as canopies placed close together posed a public safety issue. He said he also wanted any ordinance the city passed to be enforceable. “We can’t ask the lifeguards to do it,” he said. “Their job is to watch the water.” After a back-and-forth discussion, the council voted 6-1, with Council Secretary Tony DeLuca opposed, to ban beach tents – or any structure with one or more sides – with the exception of baby tents. The council also agreed to prohibit unattended canopies before 10 a.m. and to require the anchoring for such canopies to be contained within the canopy’s footprint. “It’s a little too much,” DeLuca said. “It’s not enforceable.” It should be noted that DeLuca did make his own motion, which prohibited any sides on tents, canopies and umbrellas. “My motion is all about walls …,” he said. “I think that’s our biggest issue out there, the sides, the visibility.” However, DeLuca’s motion failed for lack of a second.
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